House Fire In Abingdon Ruled Accidental

ABINGDON, MD — Authorities say a closed door helped prevent a house fire in Abingdon fire from causing more damage. A space heater sparked the blaze, according to the fire marshal.

Before 1 p.m. Friday, officials said the homeowner discovered the fire in a second-floor bedroom after being alerted by a smoke alarm.

In a matter of minutes, the Abingdon Fire Company brought the fire in the 3200 block of Peverly Run Road under control, according to the fire marshal.

The closed door contained the fire to the bedroom, a simple act that officials said prevented the flames from spreading to the rest of the house.

"Although this happened during the day, citizens are reminded to 'Close Before You Doze,'" the fire marshal said in a statement. "A closed door can isolate the fire's flow, reduce room temperature and keep carbon monoxide levels down."

Investigators ruled the blaze accidental. A space heater had ignited bedding material, causing an estimated $15,000 in damage. The house sustained about $10,000 in structural damage, while $5,000 worth of items inside were lost, officials said. No injuries were reported.